Rome. "I met with European Commissioner Raffaele Fitto, whom I've been in touch with again in recent days, to reiterate my request that Italy follow Spain's lead: use the remaining funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) to compensate those in this sector who have been affected during this very complex period."
This was announced by MEP Flavio Tosi, member of the European Parliament's Transport Committee, speaking at the 17th edition of 'MercinTreno', held at the CNEL headquarters in Rome, in the presence of numerous companies, associations, political figures, and institutions.
Tosi then highlighted the need for "European management of construction sites," adding that "we face a future in which freight transport will gradually shift from road to rail. This will reduce pollution, reduce costs, but above all because our road networks are already saturated."
Clemente Carta, president of the Fermerci Association, also called for international coordination, emphasizing two critical issues for the entire sector: the planned rail closures in Germany between 2026 and 2032, which will affect 40 lines for periods of up to five months each, and the new Swiss regulations on freight wagons, extended to December 31, 2026, but still too rigid and penalizing for many companies.
The rail freight transport sector—he concluded—is experiencing a constant storm of announced rail disruptions, inadequate regulations, and poor coordination between countries. The risk is logistical paralysis just as we are being asked to accelerate the ecological transition.
Sabrina De Filippis, CEO and General Manager of FS Logistix, also addressed the sector's difficulties, reiterating the need to follow Spain's example in using NRRP funds.
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We must find a way to advance this request, united and united, otherwise the survival of the sector's companies is at risk. In the meantime, we must plan a series of structural actions and investments that will bring rail freight transport to a decisive moment in the coming years.
Christian Colaneri, Director of Sustainability Strategies and Infrastructure Development Planning at RFI, presented two new developments for the sector. Starting January 1, 2026, he emphasized, "RFI (a company of the FS Italiane Group) will be able to contribute up to 80% of the costs arising from modifications to the national infrastructure. Furthermore, the European Commission is examining a new regulation to support, under certain conditions, the development of freight terminal service facilities."
Stefano Oberti, head of the Safety Division and deputy director of the Federal Office of Transport (FOT), spoke about the new Swiss regulation, which requires, among other things, a minimum diameter for wagon wheels and more frequent inspections. The implementation of the measure relating to inspections, initially scheduled for the end of 2025, has been extended to December 2026.
"Our goal," he explained, "is to strike a balance between safety, economic viability, and the supply of goods to Switzerland. We recognize that this extension will not resolve all the issues raised, but we are in constant contact with industry stakeholders to incorporate new information and, if necessary, reevaluate our decisions."
Host Renato Brunetta, president of the CNEL, finally launched a proposal to the CNEL. "I wanted to relaunch the CNEL's power of legislative initiative," he said. "For this reason, I propose that you unite your needs and give them to us, so as to prepare a bill initiated by the CNEL to be submitted to Parliament."
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